Weighing apparatus and method for use in weighing live fish

Abstract

An improved weighing apparatus and method of weighing a live fish is disclosed. Here, the weighing apparatus and method has a container member having swingably coupled cover member thereabove and a guide member coupled therebelow a base member of the container. The guide member of the container is provided to allow the container to be slidably mounted thereabove a weighing scale having a capacity to provide a weight readout to nearest one-tenth of an ounce and a maximum capacity of at least 200 ounces. The weighing scale of the improved improved weighing apparatus of the present invention is preferably battery operated or suitable for being electrically operated, as well as being compact, portable, lightweight and easily transportable. The improved weighing apparatus and method of the present invention provides a rapid, accurate and efficient means to weigh a struggling live fish for use particularly by sports fisherman in fishing tournaments or for merchants in fishing markets.

I claim: 
     
       1. A weighing apparatus for use in weighing live fish, comprising: a container means having a base member for accommodating therein said live fish;   a cover member means for swingably coupling thereabove said container means;   a guide member means for coupling therebelow said base member; and   a weighing scale means for slidably coupling thereabove said container means, said guide member means is suitable for guiding said container means when said container means is slidably mounted thereabove said weighing scale means.   
     
     
       2. The weighing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said guide member means is integrally coupled to said base member. 
     
     
       3. The weighing apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said weighing scale means is digital suitable for providing a weight reading within one-tenth of an ounce and a maximum reading capacity of at least 200 ounces. 
     
     
       4. The weighing apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said weighing scale means is battery operated. 
     
     
       5. The weighing apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said weighing scale means is suitable for being electrically operated. 
     
     
       6. The weighing apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said weighing scale is suitable for holding said weight reading for a desired time period. 
     
     
       7. The weighing apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said container means is made of light weight material. 
     
     
       8. A method of weighing a live fish, comprising the steps of: providing a container member means having a swingably coupled cover member means thereabove;   providing a weighing scale;   slidably engaging said container member means thereabove said weighing scale;   placing a live fish inside said container member means;   closing said cover member means thereabove said container member means; and thereafter   reading the weight of said fish provided by a readout of said weighing scale.   
     
     
       9. The method of weighing a live fish as in claim 8 wherein said step of providing a container member means comprises the step of providing a container member means made out of lightweight material. 
     
     
       10. The method of weighing a live fish as in claim 9 wherein said step of providing a weighing scale comprises the step of providing a weighing scale with a digital readout means suitable for providing a digital reading of a weight to the nearest tenth of an ounce and a weight reading maximum capacity of at least 200 ounces. 
     
     
       11. The method of weighing a live fish as in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a weighing scale comprises the step of providing a weighing scale which is battery operated. 
     
     
       12. The method of weighing a live fish as in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a weighing scale comprises the step of providing a weighing scale suitable for being electrically operated. 
     
     
       13. The method of weighing a live fish as in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a weighing scale comprises the step of providing a weighing scale having control panel means, said control panel means comprises an "ON-OFF" switch and a "HOLD" switch for holding said digital readout for a desired period of time.